AN athletics association has hosted its 50th annual district sports event.

The Chester-le-Street Primary Schools Athletics Association first held the event in 1964, which now sees 400 children from the area compete in numerous sports at the Chester le Street Riverside Running Track.

To celebrate the anniversary, pupils from 19 schools took part in an Olympics-style parade around the track, and enjoyed goodie bags and medals provided by sponsor Lloyds Bank.

Also in attendance was 17-year-old Lydia Turner, a local athlete who has represented England in the Under-20 Championships.

Organiser Tom Baker, who has been involved for 48 years, described the event’s continued success as a "significant achievement".

He added: “Fifty years of district sports is wonderful, and we’re very proud, especially as teachers’ workload is much greater than in years gone by.

“We believe that this type of activity on this scale wouldn’t take place anywhere else in the country”.